What's new in Richmond, VA?

Lot's of new restaurants opening in Richmond and burbs around them.
Which are worth driving the hour from my home in Yorktown
(where there's are NO decent food)?
My favorite Richmond restaurant is Millie's Diner on Main Street. Go for breakfast and have their Devil's Mash and a couple of Bloody Mary's!
Many people on their way north or south may wish to stop here too.

Millie's is as popular as always. A lot of the places in Shockoe Bottom have yet to reopen since the big flood last August. Millie's is up the hill on E. Main St., so it was spared.

I'm not aware of all the new restaurants that you're referring to, but maybe they're out there. Plenty of the good old standbys, 'tho. Like Karen's Diner (blue plate specials and great breakfasts), Julian's (75 year-old Italian restaurant). Both on W. Broad near the DMV. Buz 'n Ned's Real Barbecue (much discussed on these threads) on the Boulevard; and Bill's Barbecue for the fresh limeades and pies, also on the Boulevard.

Depends on what you're looking for.

Frank

Leonora,

You mentioned that there's no decent food in Yorktown. I haven't been in that region in a long time, but I seem to remember a couple of nice restaurants near a marina called York River Yacht Haven. Am I remembering correctly, or are they gone/no good?

Frank

Yes indeed, The River's Inn at York River Yacht Haven is alive and well. It is one of my favorite restaurants for a special occasion. The food is well prepared and it's nice to look over the marina while dining.

Leonora, the Main St area is a great little area. My favorite place is the Guttenberg Cafe, a great little restaurant and a great little bookstore as well.

Right up the street, around 21st, in that area, is the Edgar Allan Poe house Museum. At least go in the gift shop (the oldest house in Richmond) even if you don't go through the museum.

I just returned from a 30 hour trip from DC to Richmond. Before I left, I searched the forums for Richmond places to eat. I didn't eat at Millie's because the line at 10 a.m. ran out of the door and down an entire block. It must be THE place to go on a Saturday morning. I ate at Buz and Ned's prior to my visits to the fine arts and historical museums. The food was good, and they served a Legends brown ale which complemented the pulled pork sandwich quite well. A man who had traveled in from the suburbs asked, "How did you find this place?" and I attributed it to roadfood.com.
I had dinner at Comfort. The fried green tomato appetizer was very good. They have an interesting wine list. The entrees are an upscale meat and two or three sides. Thank you to those who post here.

quote:

Originally posted by carlton pierre

Leonora, the Main St area is a great little area. My favorite place is the Guttenberg Cafe, a great little restaurant and a great little bookstore as well.

Right up the street, around 21st, in that area, is the Edgar Allan Poe house Museum. At least go in the gift shop (the oldest house in Richmond) even if you don't go through the museum.

There is also a little road House called Poe's. It's been awhile since I've been, but I seem to remember it being near an old Tobacco building that was changed into high end condo's/apartments. Fried catfish and ribs are the specialties there.

For Italian I like Mamma Zu south of Boulevard and the Italian Cafe in Sycamore Square in Midlothian. I usually don't hit the higher end restaurants, sorry. Buz and Ned's is excellent as well.

quote:

Originally posted by MandalayVA

For Italian I like Mamma Zu south of Boulevard and the Italian Cafe in Sycamore Square in Midlothian. I usually don't hit the higher end restaurants, sorry. Buz and Ned's is excellent as well.

I hope you aren't confusing my saying Poe's is near some 'high end' condos with Poe's being a high end eatery.

Nothing could be further from the truth, Poe's is a dive in every sense of the word. It just happens to be close to the condo's I mentioned......in fact one evening while enjoying my Rib and Catfish platter I happened to see a small mouse scurrying across the room. I guess he wanted to closer to the stage so he could hear the Blugrass band a bit better!....LOL!!!

I've seen Poe's, never been in it. And it's certainly not "high end." ;)

This is an old thread but still appropiate to inquire whether any of our central Virginia posters (NascarDad, Williamsburger, et. al) have yet patronned...
 

 
...located in Richmond, Virginia's West End and near Short Pump (1601 Hockett Road in Manakin-Sabot -- near the Short Pump Town Center).
 
I stopped in here by chance last Monday night for dinner and was delighted with the "new-to-me" find. Last year, the Richmond Times-Dispatch hailed the Sunset Grill as a place to "enjoy a decadent steak topped off with friendly service and a breezy atmosphere" and I can see why. The independently-owned and operated place is a red meat-lover's paradise -- as exemplified by this shot of the restaurant's "slow roasted, thick, aged,marbled, tender prine beef":
 

 
 
-- however Monday evenings (when I was there) was the Sunset Grill's clearly popular "$ 5.00 half-pound grilled burger and fries" night. While I had the simply delicious grilled salmon that evening, the burgers smelled and looked fantastic. Good beers on-tap, as well, including Sierra Nevade Pale Ale, Blue Moon and others.
 
Has anyone else been to this new inhibitor of the former Red Oak Cafe (and most welcomed respite from the chain madness that it the Short Pump Town Center)?

I have enjoyed my visits to the Sunset Grill.   The food is very good too and I love the service.   Good burgers, and a healthy pour at the bar (actually it is unusual for me to even drink these days but the bar is very inviting )
 
I took my brother there for lunch when he was in town, in fact.
 
There is a new non chain place in the new strip mall next to the new Hilton, an italian wok place supposedly with great pizza too, I forget the name at this point.  He used to be somewhere south of the river and before that came via Sicily. 
 
Also read about a new non chain Italian in Lakeside.. I will have to track those down again.

I went to a wonderful Vietnamese place a few weeks ago.  Mekong, on Broad St.  www.mekongva.com
Excellent food and a beer menu that was a lesson in geography.  Highly recommend.

I had pizza from the new Italian place (Osteria La Giara) in Short Pump.  Pretty good NY Style and I especially love that the Italian sausage is sliced, like pepperoni, not crumbled. 
 
I hope it does well because I think it could become one of my go-to places for takeout pizza (along with Capriccio's and Frank's West).  The place is a bit fancy to qualify as roadfood, the pasta cooked in the wok is cooked very quickly which should be a boon for travelers on the go, and it is nice to have another non chain place in the Short Pump area besides Sunset Grill and Patina Grill.
 
 
 
 

Also while not totally new, fairly new is the  BBQ cart on the south side of US 250 just a smidge west of Sunset Grill.  CD's Barbecue.  Mostly only had the ribs from here so far and they are better than most places I have tried. Obviously better than the steamed Bill's que, and better than Double Ts and the chain joints and Alexander's.
 
They are on Facebook.  33 Broad Street Road is the address, but they are in the parking lot behind that address.
 
 

Now that many of the traditional southern and soul food joints have been wiped out of business, are there any any traditional  non pretentious non "nu south" restaurants in the Richmond area besides the take out seafood joint Stuart's Fresh catch that still serves Spoon Bread?

wanderingjew


Now that many of the traditional southern and soul food joints have been wiped out of business, are there any any traditional  non pretentious non "nu south" restaurants in the Richmond area besides the take out seafood joint Stuart's Fresh catch that still serves Spoon Bread?

Good question.  In the Richmond area, hmm.. I knew one place but it closed, another place but it is in Surry.  I don't think Satterwhite's has it either.. would have to put some thought into that. 
 

Ahh knew I had it recently, must have been at Skilligalee, a seafood place on Glenside just north of US 250 and near I64. I don't see it on the website menu but I coulda sworn they had it as a side.

NascarDad


Ahh knew I had it recently, must have been at Skilligalee, a seafood place on Glenside just north of US 250 and near I64. I don't see it on the website menu but I coulda sworn they had it as a side.

It's a real shame that that something that tastes so good is not offered on more menus, but sadly, it seems like most cities and urban areas nowadays, Richmond wants to shed it's past and be more cosmopolitan.
 
I used to go to Freckle's whenever I visited Richmond- and they always had spoon bread on the menu- Freckle's (along with McLean's) were always my go to places whenever I was in or passing through Richmond- it's a real shame tha Freckle's is gone now.

wanderingjew

NascarDad


Ahh knew I had it recently, must have been at Skilligalee, a seafood place on Glenside just north of US 250 and near I64. I don't see it on the website menu but I coulda sworn they had it as a side.

It's a real shame that that something that tastes so good is not offered on more menus, but sadly, it seems like most cities and urban areas nowadays, Richmond wants to shed it's past and be more cosmopolitan.

I used to go to Freckle's whenever I visited Richmond- and they always had spoon bread on the menu- Freckle's (along with McLean's) were always my go to places whenever I was in or passing through Richmond- it's a real shame tha Freckle's is gone now.

Funny you mention Freckles, I was just replying to your old thread about it.  Whenever I drive in that neighborhood I wonder if I have time to stop in, and then I re-remember that it is gone. 
 
I don't know that Skiligallee is good enough to warrant a stop just for the spoon bread, but their fried shrimp is above average for what they have.  Some other stuff is pretty lackluster.  I will keep my mind open if I can think of any other places.  The time that sticks out the most was down at Virginia diner when I had virginia ham and spoonbread one day for lunch and was not disappointed I missed breakfast. 

NascarDad

wanderingjew

NascarDad


Ahh knew I had it recently, must have been at Skilligalee, a seafood place on Glenside just north of US 250 and near I64. I don't see it on the website menu but I coulda sworn they had it as a side.

It's a real shame that that something that tastes so good is not offered on more menus, but sadly, it seems like most cities and urban areas nowadays, Richmond wants to shed it's past and be more cosmopolitan.

I used to go to Freckle's whenever I visited Richmond- and they always had spoon bread on the menu- Freckle's (along with McLean's) were always my go to places whenever I was in or passing through Richmond- it's a real shame tha Freckle's is gone now.

Funny you mention Freckles, I was just replying to your old thread about it.  Whenever I drive in that neighborhood I wonder if I have time to stop in, and then I re-remember that it is gone. 

I don't know that Skiligallee is good enough to warrant a stop just for the spoon bread, but their fried shrimp is above average for what they have.  Some other stuff is pretty lackluster.  I will keep my mind open if I can think of any other places.  The time that sticks out the most was down at Virginia diner when I had virginia ham and spoonbread one day for lunch and was not disappointed I missed breakfast. 

 
Thanks,
 
Although they don't offfer spoonbread another place that was very roadfood worthy was Mama Mary's Sugar and Spice-
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mama-Marys-SUGAR-SPICE-Restaurant/124588559658
I wasn't impressed with their Green Beans or Collards, but everything else was outstanding- especially the Peach Cobbler and Sweet Potato Pie- in fact I used to think the Peach Cobbler at the Blue Willow in Social Circle Ga was the best- however the one served at Mama Mary's blew Blue Willow Inn right out of the water!

You know thinking about it, Buz and Ned's is working (still) on their new location in the West End at the old Fuddrucker's , corner Parham and wst Broad.
They mentioned they want to be able to expand their menu and include some things they used to have at their current site, since the new location will be about 3 times the size as their place on Boulevard.
 
The refurb stopped for a time, but Buz hired a new company a month or two ago, and from what I hear work has started again after not making much progress most of last year.
 
I would not be surprised to see spoonbread on the menu when it opens.

wanderingjew

NascarDad

wanderingjew

NascarDad


Ahh knew I had it recently, must have been at Skilligalee, a seafood place on Glenside just north of US 250 and near I64. I don't see it on the website menu but I coulda sworn they had it as a side.

It's a real shame that that something that tastes so good is not offered on more menus, but sadly, it seems like most cities and urban areas nowadays, Richmond wants to shed it's past and be more cosmopolitan.

I used to go to Freckle's whenever I visited Richmond- and they always had spoon bread on the menu- Freckle's (along with McLean's) were always my go to places whenever I was in or passing through Richmond- it's a real shame tha Freckle's is gone now.

Funny you mention Freckles, I was just replying to your old thread about it.  Whenever I drive in that neighborhood I wonder if I have time to stop in, and then I re-remember that it is gone. 

I don't know that Skiligallee is good enough to warrant a stop just for the spoon bread, but their fried shrimp is above average for what they have.  Some other stuff is pretty lackluster.  I will keep my mind open if I can think of any other places.  The time that sticks out the most was down at Virginia diner when I had virginia ham and spoonbread one day for lunch and was not disappointed I missed breakfast. 

Thanks,

Although they don't offfer spoonbread another place that was very roadfood worthy was Mama Mary's Sugar and Spice-
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Mama-Marys-SUGAR-SPICE-Restaurant/124588559658
I wasn't impressed with their Green Beans or Collards, but everything else was outstanding- especially the Peach Cobbler and Sweet Potato Pie- in fact I used to think the Peach Cobbler at the Blue Willow in Social Circle Ga was the best- however the one served at Mama Mary's blew Blue Willow Inn right out of the water!

Thanks.  I think I have only heard about that place once, but that isn't surprising sometimes; I mean Dairy Bar has been here for years and most people I talk to have never heard of it.

New place opening in May in the original Cuisines location ( 9503 West Broad St.) called the HogsHead Cafe.
 
Not exactly sure hat is going to be on the menu, but to hear them say it, sounds like it could be roadfood to me.

 
"Although the name HogsHead might suggest just barbeque, Steve there’s more to it.
“We’re not going to compete with a Buzz or Ned’s,” he said. “We’re going to do a little bit of everything.”
Kim said the menu will be classic comfort food with a mix of classic American dishes and her own recipes.
The pair said they are going to source ingredients from local bakeries, butchers and farmers.
“We want to focus on repeat business, people that are able to come in two to three times a week,” said Kim.
“Where everybody knows everybody,” Steve added.

 

NascarDad, have you yet been to Richmond's new(er)

Cook Out restaurant on East Ridge Road?

i95

 

NascarDad, have you yet been to Richmond's new(er)

Cook Out restaurant on East Ridge Road?

No I want to go but have had limited opportunities.  I don't leave the building for lunch (and I hear the place is slammed for lunch) and I go the other way home.  The one day I thought about going, I went to Stewart's Fresh Catch instead
 
If it weren't race week I might try to go this Friday but I suspect it could be busier than usual. Could be an idea for Saturday though.. go off peak with the kids.. hmmmm.. :)
 
 

Two new places out towards me I need to try
 
1) Country Folks Grille and Saloon Sounds like they have comfort food and it is right near I64, so perfect spot for Roadfood. It is in the old Manakin Grill location behind the Valero on Ashland Rd.
 
2) JJ's Seafood and Lawn Care - Ok, well I, mr Anti Chain , have to give this place a try.  They are at the Rockville Market, and opened about a week ago.  However, I need to clarify which Rockville Market because I think there could be 2 (which would be odd because there may only be 2 stores of any kind in Rockville VA, and probably fewer) Apparently the lawn care facility is separate , the seafood is sold from a tent.  There are signs up all over eastern Goochland.. ok well at least 2 of them lol.
 
I will have a report on one or both of these hopefully soon.

I'm going to be in the Bon Air/Midlothian area over Memorial Day weekend. Any decent roadfood-type places in that area? Breakfast and dinner, primarily...hopefully....
TIA,
Bill

RKB


I'm going to be in the Bon Air/Midlothian area over Memorial Day weekend. Any decent roadfood-type places in that area? Breakfast and dinner, primarily...hopefully....
TIA,
Bill

 
While, hopefully, you'll soon here of more "road food" type places in that part of the Commonwealth just south of the city of Richmond, allow me to throw out a place which I just love, have been to multiple times and, yet, have not yet mentioned on this site that being Carena's Jamaican Grille located at 7102 Midlothian Turnpike in Richmond.
 

 
Owned by the same woman who owns and operates downtown Richmond's Jamaica House restaurant, Carena's Jamaican Grille is an otherwise diamond in the rough that is Midlothian Turnpike. While housed in the shell of a former restaurant (Friendlys? IHOP?), the place's bright, Caribbean colors (aqua blue, terra cota) will draw you in to true, largely un-Anglocized and delicious Jamaican cooking along the likes of Pepper Pot Soup, jerk chicken, oxtail, conch fritters and the like.
 
Last time I was there, I ordered two orders to-go of Carena's incredible curry coconut pumpkin soup which we used as an appetizer for Thanksgiving. Again, it's not barbeque, ham or spoon bread but if you're looking for something delicious albeit grossly regionally inappropriate whilst in Richmond, Carena's is the place. 

In addition, last week, Mrs. i95 dined here last week for lunch --

another place south of the rivah (James River, that is):

 

Positive Vibe Cafe

2825 Hathaway Road in Richmond, VA 23225

In addition to her summarization of the place's soup-and-salad fare as being top notch (including both a salmon & prosciutto and grilled shrimp & bacon club sandwich), the place is equally known for providing persons with disabilities opportunities in the restaurant industry.
 
I've not yet been there but it may be worth a look. They serve both lunch and dinner. FYI.
 
P.S. Have you been there NascarDad

i95

P.S. Have you been there NascarDad

Nope, I have not been.  Generally if it is south of the river it's a bridge too far for a commuting day.  ;)  I can probably count on 2 hands the places south of the river I have been, unless you count Petersburg too
 
Benny's BBQ is south of the river, they however will be moving soon to the Stony Point Fashion Center (and tripling their space and seating) That is good since maybe they will start doing their onion rings for lunch, right now they only do them for dinner.
I will rack my brain to see if I can think of anywhere else roadfood down there. 
 
A lot of places I make that journey for are ethnic that you cant find in the West End.  For example - Korean (88 Garden) and Spanish (Cafe Pandulche on Turner Road )

Anyone tried Lucille's http://www.lucillesoutherncuisine.com/menu.html at either their original or new location?  I am sometimes in that neighborhood (Brook road in particular) and wonder whether its worth a stop.

i95


This is an old thread but still appropiate to inquire whether any of our central Virginia posters (NascarDad, Williamsburger, et. al) have yet patronned... 

Sunset Grill  (graphic removed)

...located in Richmond, Virginia's West End and near Short Pump (1601 Hockett Road in Manakin-Sabot -- near the Short Pump Town Center).

Since i95 asked directly I'll answer - I live in Williamsburg and work in Richmond, but don't have a car, usually, so I'm very limited in so far as what I can get to. I also tend to avoid the Short Pump shopping area like the plague. So, no, I've not tried this place. But I may be going that way soon, so I'll see if it works out. Thanks for the recomendation.
 
Not new, but I tried the beef ribs at Extra Billy's (http://www.extrabillys.com/) last weekend. OMG! Sweet, smokey, tender and HUGE! One of the best things I've ever eaten. Really.
 
Cathy

Re: Positive Vibe - I concur. They have excellent food. All their wait staff are volunteers. They've been doing good things for awhile.
They also have a second location (more short order type stuff) downtown in my workplace - the Library of Virginia.
Cathy

Just found this site.  Love it!  Also found a new favorite restaurant in Richmond...Belvidere at Broad.  Doesn't look like much, with a bus stop right outside the front door on Broad, but the food is great!  Here's the link:  thebelvidere dot com

I revisited somewhere I hadn't been in years, last time I didn't really give it a full perusal because it was packed and I was late for work.
 
The place in question, well it's a gas station , and no NOT the old Texaco Cafe on Nuckols (which is now an Exxon and the cafeteria style food is much poorer quality than it used to be)
 
No, this place is a little further out, on Ashland road near I64, the Wise Choice Citgo
 
Now a lot of gas stations round here have fried chicken and do a good business at lunch time especially with the landscapers, etc. But this place has real good fried chicken; a thinner  flour based coating with tender chicken, I beleive it is pressure cooked, but doesn't taste like KFC's
 
Also had some of their fried fish (think it was whiting) and it was delicious, and some type of warm buttermilk donut thing (sorry though no spoonbread).
 
Really good grab and go roadfood.  Gas is a bit more expensive there usually, but its popular with the truckers, and the good food is the reason.
 
I had some pictures on my phone but can't seem to find them.  Odd.

Hmm having problem editing my previous post but I found a Facebook page for WISE Choice convenience store
 
http://www.facebook.com/p...e/132833249720?sk=wall
 
 
Odd I could only find this FB page through articles, searching on FB itself for Wise Choice Rockville (and dozens of other combos) got me nothing.
 
Also found a blog post about them, apparently their potato wedges are good too , and their chicken finger  are considered some of the best (and biggest)  in the area as well (and of course my favorite the fried chicken.
 
http://whinemedineme.word...ders-in-richmond-area/
 
They have a different special every day, I know Friday's it is the fried fish.  
 
I should also mention to i95 that it is right up the road maybe a mile from the previously mentioned Sunset Grill.

NascarDad
 

Now a lot of gas stations round here have fried chicken and do a good business at lunch time especially with the landscapers, etc. But this place has real good fried chicken; a thinner  flour based coating with tender chicken, I beleive it is pressure cooked, but doesn't taste like KFC's

Sounds a bit like the chicken from the gas station my Dad owned years back. I look forward to trying it when I can.
 
 

mike72988


Just found this site.  Love it!  Also found a new favorite restaurant in Richmond...Belvidere at Broad.  Doesn't look like much, with a bus stop right outside the front door on Broad, but the food is great!  Here's the link:  thebelvidere dot com

Mike,
Glad you found Roadfood. You might want to look around the site some more and get a better feel for the vibe. While the place you posted about looks like a really nice place (and I've hear good things about it) it probably doesn't classify as roadfood.

Actually, there are quite a few high end, one of a kind restaurants that are considered Roadfood on this site.I would definaely give it a try.

A new place I want to try - south of the James , east of Petersburg, in Disputanta.   Place is called Bubba's Chikin and Thangs . 
 
Read a good review on it, has only been open for a few weeks and having troubles - their verizon line was cut so they cant do credit cards at the moment. That is actually how I saw the place originally was their owner on the news talking about how he has lost most of his business because people dont carry cash anymore.
 
I have heard their fried chicken is pretty good.  They also have burgers and other "thangs"
 
Their address is 17607 James River Drive (Route 10) You wont have problems finding it - .  - it's painted BRIGHT YELLOW, almost School bus yellow.
 
Of course part of it for me is that Kings in Petersburg has pretty good fried chicken (or I remember it that way, havent been in a decade) and also have to pass several Golden Skillets on the way there too.

Could you double check the location? Disputanta is on Rt. 460.

Try Longstreets in Petersburg, VA (only about 20 min south of Richmond). They have fantastic food. They have a nice bar, but they are best known for their lunch.

Williamsburger


Could you double check the location? Disputanta is on Rt. 460.

I think its just the mailing address, the article I found on the place says on route 10 too.
 
Dont have the link handy , my tabs have all changed considerably since Monday with the quake near my house and the hurricane preps.  Looks like Willaismburg is getting hammered, so be careful out there.

NascarDad
 

 Looks like Willaismburg is getting hammered, so be careful out there.

Thank you. My DH and I and very well. We lost some food, but some friends lost their house to a tree. This puts all things in perspective.
 
I'm having a fever dream of doing a RF tour of South of the James starting at Surrey House and ending at Tanglewood Ordinary.

I am patiently waiting for the Short Pump location of the Halligan Bar to open, along with the supposed West Broad location of Buz and Ned's that has been in the works for almost 2 years now.

New out in Goochland County is a Mexican restaurant. (no, not Peppers, that placed closed probably because they made the blandest tacos I ever tasted)
 
Frida's Mexican Restaurante, which also has a location Parham, has opened in Goochland County. Looking forward to trying that even though Mexican is not necessarily my favorite
 
Aw Shucks is a gas station in Hylas (near the intersection of Ashland Road and Pouncey Tract) with an attached cafeteria style restaurant. So far they have pretty good fried  chicken (though I like the Wise Choice Citgo  down near I64 a bit better).  Right now also serving burgers and pizza and some breakfast items.  But next week they start serving more items including some sort of pork steak and fish.  They have only been opened for a couple of weeks; they also have a car wash if you are so inclined.  Also they have a decent beer selection for a c-store, I picked up some Legend Ale  and a 40 of Sam Adams Octoberfest to take home.
 
Halligan Bar's short pump location still not quite ready but getting close
 
No word on Buz and Ned's expanded location. They have had that location for 2 years now and not opened it.  It was originally promised in the Spring of 2010, then the summer, then the fall, then spring 2011, now on their website says "Late Summer 2011". . Changed contractors at least once, possibly more times. Who knows. 
 
Between Halligan and Buz in the west end , one of them may end up being my favorite Q joint, probably will end up to which I will get to go to first.
 
Which reminds me, the menu at the Hogshead Cafe has expanded a bit.  A bunch of good down home southern stuff on the (still small) menu now  so I will have to go back, especially since they have had oysters a lot lately.  And I have not tried their Memphis Rub ribs yet. They put their daily special blackboard on their FB page.
 
 
 

I drove past Buz and Ned's new location today - work trucks , on the outside a lot of refuse and debris.  Doesnt look anywhere near opening,  but hey what do I know?
 
Since Halligan Bar also not yet open, I stopped at a new place called BurgerWorks, its at 10321 West Broad.   It does not appear to be associated with the Red Robin Burger Works outfit.  It IS associated with some DANG GOOD burgers. Not cheap but nothing in that neighborhood is.  And way better than 5 guys.
 
BurgerWorks also has cheese/bacon fries, fried dill pickles, and a killer milkshake. While I am not sure a Gouda/Bacon burger can count as roadfood, and it is not cheap, I will definitely be back there.

Finally tried Hogshead Cafe and was not disappointed in the slightest.  Best food I have had in months at a restaurant.
Link to my post http://www.roadfood.com/F...chmond-VA-m675981.aspx
 
I may not ever get to try the new Buz and Ned's or Halligan , Hogshead is that good.

I have tried Halligan Bar in short pump and it was pretty good , it was only their second day open so a few "shake down cruise" type issues, but pretty solid menu and service was top notch.  The kids loved the real fire engine in the place.
 
Been to Hogshead Cafe now like 7 times. Maybe more.  Also been to Burgerworks a bunch of times.  I have some friends that like both , and the family also loves both, so we are eating out more often
 

Went to Hogshead again.  Loaded tater tots as an app, and a BLT Fried Green Tomato Shrimp Po-Boy.  Are you kidding me? that is off the charts!  Man I love this joint.
 

Another on my To Do list, not really in Richmond but not too far from my neck of the woods , is the Barbeque Exchange in Gordonsville.  Whole Hog BBQ or so I hear.
 
From their website  http://bbqex.com/ it seems that coming up on Feb 16 (A Thursday I beleive) is Porkapalooza!  Too bad it is not President's Day, since I have off lol.

I also wasn't sure if I should mention, because it's not really roadfood (unless your road is in Szechuan province ), but Peter Chang's new place opened this week.  I was one of the first to get in for lunch and it was amazing.   Try the Fried Pork Belly appetizer, you will not be disappointed.  
 
No ABC license yet, but the people who know say this place is going to be hell to get into within a week or two, so go now if you have any interest at all (apparently he is a big deal chef, though he himself is shy and not into the hype)

Buz and Ned's long awaited new location is set to open next week.  According to this news story, the venture nearly broke him
 
http://www.richmondbizsen...27/bigger-and-buzzier/

I completely agree about Peter Chang's, it is amazing. More to the point, my wife, who is Chinese, also agrees. But by now it is always packed.

When she first started spending a lot of time in Richmond there were no good Chinese restaurants. This time we also went to King of Szechuan. It had very good and authentic food. Unfortunately the service is also authentic, meaning slow and lackadaisical.

Last night we tried a little new hole in the wall place by the Short Pump Mall called Asia Garden. Its menu listed all the usual American Chinese dishes but also authentic dishes under Home Style Entree. A majority of the customers were Chinese and the food was very good.

I have tried the new location for Buz and Ned's, they are still working things out with the ordering I think.  But the food was great and the waitresses friendly.
 
Dixie Chicken is now open down in Westover Hills area.  I want to go get some but they are closed from 2 to 4:30 on most days, which is my prime time to try new places (chance to look at menu, find the place, easier parking especially with my pickup, in and out quicker which is important when dining with a 4 year old). 
But I do know they have "southern buttermilk fried chicken (fried in lard), & pork belly sandwiches" and I do know they are in a bright yellow building that is shared with a laundry mat, next to a Valero, so maybe I will take a chance this weekend.

Also I should not neglect another place I plan to visit soon, in Carytown - Dixie Donuts.   However I will wait for another month or so, when they add Korean Fried Chicken to their menu

I still have not made it to Dixie Donuts, but I have been to Dixie Chicken.  it was  maybe the best fried chicken I have ever had.
 
Dixie Chicken does their buttermilk brined chicken in real lard. And you can taste the difference. It is made when you order it, so call ahead if you are in a hurry because it takes awhile to make.  Still, worth the wait, but they are really only a takeout place, no sit down available and not a lot of places to stand. 
 
 
But since it is over an hour to get there from my place, and Hogshead cafe is  about half that, I am at the Hogshead almost weekly while I rarely get to Dixie Chicken.

New on my "To Try" list is a place that goes perfectly with the theme of Roadfood - The Rumbleseat Grill

It is in Goochland County just off I64 on the Manakin exit, on plaza drive.  Basically the road next to the Valero , where the old Country Folks Saloon, and Manakin Grill had been.
 
The website shows lots of old 50s cars in the parking lot.
 
Since it is near my regular roadfood takeout stop (the Wise Choice Citgo) I will probably give it a try the next time that the "oil store" (as my kids call it) is out of the fried fish or fried pork chop.
http://www.rumbleseatgrill.com